Surname Wöhler - Meaning and Origin
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Wöhler: What does the surname Wöhler mean?
The last name Wöhler is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the word "Wöhl," meaning "valley" in Middle High German. It is also believed to refer to the geographical settlement of people from the Wöhl valley in the region of Hesse in western Germany. It is believed that the original Wöhlers were a family of farmers whose descendants moved to other locations in Germany throughout the centuries.
The Wöhlers are thought to be one of the oldest German surnames, dating back as far as the 14th century when it was first recorded in Hesse. The name was most likely derived from a farm or a village located in the Wöhl valley, which was once a prosperous agricultural region populated by many Wöhlers.
Throughout Germany, the last name Wöhler is still quite popular, usually associated with the towns of Wöllstein, Eltville, and Nieder-Wöllstadt in the Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition to these towns, people with the last name Wöhler can be found throughout central and eastern Germany, including areas such as Bavaria, Prussia, and some parts of Austria.
Today, the name Wöhler represents the hardworking character of the German people, as well as an acknowledgment of the family’s long roots in the region.
Order DNA origin analysisWöhler: Where does the name Wöhler come from?
The last name Wöhler is a German-originating surname, highly common in Germany today. According to AncestryDNA, it is found most prevalently in southwest Germany, specifically in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. The name is also common in parts of Austria, specifically in Upper Austria. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the masculine given name Wöhl, which is an archaic form of the modern German name Voehl. This surname has several spelling variants, with a few popular variants being Woehler, Woelher, and Woehler.
The surname Wöhler is relatively rare outside of German-speaking countries. However, there are some smaller pockets of population in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, which are home to smaller populations who bear the name Wöhler. The surname is more likely to be found in places where individuals with German heritage have migrated and settled.
In addition to its physical distribution, the surname Wöhler has also been carried down through the generations and family trees in several well-known and distinguished families. Some known individuals who have carried the surname Wöhler include the famous German chemist Friedrich Wöhler, whose pioneering work was essential for the development of organic chemistry; the important German church leader and explorer Johann Gottlieb August Wöhler, who was born in 1783; and the popular German politician Sigismund Wöhler, who served as the mayor of Munich from 1892 to 1912.
Variations of the surname Wöhler
The surname Wöhler is a variation of the German surname "Woehler" or "Wöhler". It is a topographic name derived from the Middle High German term "wohler" which means one who lives on the bank of a river or a valley. Variants of this surname include the spellings "Woeler", "Wohler", and "Wuehler". Surnames of the same origin include "Vöhler", "Voehler", "Vohler", "Vuehler", "Vöhl", "Voehl", "Vohls", "Vuehls", and "Walher".
The surname Wöhler was initially found in Bavaria, southern Germany, and was first recorded there in 1297. It became a popular surname due to it's adorable and unique sound. A notable bearer of this surname was the German neurologist and psychiatrist Emil Wöhler (1867-1928). It is possible that this surname may have come to America through 19th century immigrants.
Today, Wöhler is a very common surname in Germany, with approximately 19,500 people in the country currently bearing it. In the United States, it is one of the least common family names. In the 2000 U.S. Census, only 49 people were recorded having the surname. It is also commonly found in the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Wöhler
- Friedrich Wöhler: A German chemist best known for his synthesis of urea, which was considered an organic compound from living organisms and a breakthrough in the understanding of organic chemistry.
- Eduard Wöhler: A German sculptor. He is known for his bronze sculptures, and pieces of public and private art.
- Christa Wöhler: A German pianist, composer and conductor. She studied piano and composition in Leipzig and Cologne and is the president of the establishment of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche.
- Carl Wöhler: A German geographer and economist. He is credited with introducing the concept of physical geography and economic geography as two separate fields of study.
- Oskar Wöhler: A German painter. His works are in the collections of the National Gallery of Scotland and the Albertina in Vienna.
- Madeleine Wöhler: A German opera singer. She is best known for her performances in The Magic Flute and Der Rosenkavalier.
- Hermann Wöhler: A German mathematician, astronomer and physicist. He is best known for his contributions to the development of differential calculus and the development of the telescope.
- Fritz Wöhler: A German painter and sculptor. His contemporary works of art are featured in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Kunsthaus Zurich.
- Manfred Wöhler: A German composer. He has composed dozens of works for symphonic orchestra, chamber groups, and solo instruments.
- Johannes Wöhler: A German ornithologist. He is best known for his work on migration routes and population trends of birds.